Here's a mounted scope with great optics.  If the budget is tight, this is a great optical package. It's very portable too. This scope will accept a solar filter and makes a great instrument for solar study. The views of the moon will amaze you!

StarMax 90mm EQ Mak-Cass Planetary Viewing Package

Warning: With the StarMax 90 EQ, casual astronomy can quickly develop into a full-time infatuation!

It takes novice astronomy to a whole new level of quality, portability, and visual excitement. While similar scopes on the market feature plastic-laden gadgetry and price tags that inflict "buyer's remorse," we designed our StarMax 90 with the emphasis on uncomplicated ease of use and uncompromising quality, at an attractive price. The result is a grab-it-and-go REAL telescope that puts the fun back into stargazing.

Its metallic-burgundy aluminum tube measures just 11" in length, yet it houses star-grabbing 90mm-diameter Maksutov-Cassegrain optics. Handily outperforming typical starter scopes, the StarMax 90 will reward your evening's sky tour with crisp views of Saturn's rings, the black Cassini Division etched between them as with a knife. Swinging over to the Lagoon Nebula, it looks big even at 50x with the included 25mm Sirius Plossl eyepiece (1.25"), and the splatters of stars sparkling within it delight your friends as each steps up for a peek. Then, using the 6x20 correct-image finder scope, you aim the scope toward that faint fuzzy patch in Hercules. You look into the eyepiece and — WHOA! — that thing is cool! Checking your star chart, you find you've just discovered globular cluster M13! It appears as a dense ball, but with stars resolved around its edges.

Its long, 1250mm focal length (f/13.9) gives the StarMax 90 EQ serious magnifying power — up to 200x with optional eyepieces. The fully multi-coated front lens allows maximum light transmission. The optics are precision-aligned (collimated) at the factory and will never need further adjustment. Metal front and rear castings and a rubber-coated metal focus knob are further examples of the tube assembly's quality components.

With the StarMax 90 EQ you get a complete observing package that includes the portable, German-type EQ-1 equatorial mounting. Its aluminum tripod has a new, hinged center tri-brace for easier setup and takedown, and a larger accessory tray. Tracking the motion of celestial objects requires a mere turn of the manual slow-motion control. Or, an optional electronic drive can be installed for automatic tracking. You also get a 90° mirror star diagonal, front lens cap, and a deluxe carrying case that holds the tube assembly and accessories!

For terrestrial observing, it's easy to uncouple the tube assembly from the EQ mount and pop it on any camera tripod! (We recommend a 45° correct-image diagonal for terrestrial use.)

The measure of any scope's value ultimately comes down to how much it really gets used. And this compact, capable Mak just screams "use me"! In no time, you'll be hooked. Don't say we didn't warn you! Weighs 15.8 pounds total. One-year limited warranty.

All this for only $329.95?  YES! (Plus $55 shipping---it's a heavy box!)

Recommended Accessories

Variable Polarizing Moon Filter fits all threaded 1.25" Eyepieces Variable polarizing filter acts like a dimmer switch for your telescope, to tone down brightness Reduced brightness and glare unmasks detail in your viewing subject and greatly improves contrast Adjust the amount of light transmission from 1% to 40% The filter has an anodized aluminum cell, which threads into the barrel of any standard eyepiece Storage case included. 1.25" $36.95 (shipping included!)

Every Telescope Needs a Rigel Rigel Quick Finder $40 (Free Shipping)

Tracking Drive Precision mini-motor attaches to your equatorial mount for automatic tracking of celestial objects Drive provides regulated sidereal-rate tracking in right ascension Hand controller has 2x and 8x speeds and pause mode Includes motor, controller and battery case. Runs on four D-cell batteries (not included) Fits ShortTube 4.5, Observer 60 and 70 EQ, Transporter Min-EQ, ShortTube 80 EQ and EQ-1 and Min-EQ EQ 1-M Tracking $64.95 Free Shipping

Moon too bright? This will make lunar viewing a pleasure! 25% Moon Filter $18.95 (Free Shipping)

Glass, Safe Solar Filter for the StarMax 90 I'll see that you get the proper size for your StarMax 90. Solar Filter $74.99 (Free Shipping)